Back Off, Columnists!

Back Off, Columnists!
Here's What 'Washington, D.C.' Means to Me
Sunday, February 11, 2007; B08

On Jan. 14, Close to Home shared with us the opinions of 10 local news columnists from across the country about "What 'Washington, D.C.' Means to Them."

If you are among those of us who are natives of this area, perhaps after reading those commentaries you felt, as I did, that our home town needed a little defending. It was difficult to read that people from places such as Utah and Kentucky think so negatively of us and of what happens here. I grew up here, moved away and moved back, so I feel qualified -- and obligated -- to respond.

It was hard to hear that many Americans believe that this city offers little more than corrupt politicians and crime. It was hard to read, for instance, that South Dakotans "know good people go to the nation's capital but [they] just don't like what happens to them when they stay too long." Despite what others may believe, there is a contingent of folks who have lived here modestly and (mostly) happily and have done so for years, even generations. And while Washington is a melting pot of people from across the world, it's still the place I call home.

Admittedly, it can be a difficult place to live. I am not naive about the extra effort Washington sometimes requires of us. Traffic, taxes, housing costs, partisanship, and did I mention the traffic? No doubt, these things can wear a person down. As a sports fan, it's even hard to root for the home team. (In case you out-of-towners among us have forgotten, those teams are the Redskins, the Wizards, the Nationals and the Capitals.) But we get up every day, get in our cars and merge into the rat race alongside 5 million other people in the metro area. Why? Maybe no one can explain why. When terrorism knocked on our door a few years back, I asked myself why I live here and even if I wanted to stay. But immediately following that September day, and in the five years since, the reasons I live here have become clearer.

So, to those columnists who offered their unflattering opinions of this city, I say, this is what Washington means to me:

Washington means culture, diversity, power and history.

Washington means incredible springs and colorful autumns, blistering summers and wimpy winters. Where else can stores run out of milk and toilet paper when the forecast simply says "chance of snow"?

Washington is Vienna Inn chili dogs and Hawk 'n' Dove cold beers, Constitution Avenue T-shirt vendors and College Park game days.

Washington is cherry blossoms and ethnic food, presidential motorcades and eternal architecture. Is there anything better than playing softball on the Mall on a warm summer night, surrounded by monuments and icons known around the globe?

Washington is Embassy Row and Adams Morgan, quaint Clifton and booming Bethesda. We are science and technology, history and memorabilia. We represent the United States to the world, and whether you agree with who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. or not, the majesty, tradition and significance of that address are undeniable.

Washington offers hospitality to the world and honor to its small-town heroes. There are street parades and fundraisers, and I would bet that we fly more flags here than anyplace else in America. And if you've ever been to the Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Day, you know the real meaning of school pride and community support.

Washington is picturesque Great Falls and chic urban downtown, historic Ellicott City and up-and-coming Del Ray.

Washington is my childhood, my young adulthood, my past and my present. Washington is my town, and no one can take that away.